School Leadership

Mr. Keith McSwain, Principal

On behalf of the faculty and staff at Hickory Grove Sharon Elementary, I welcome all of you to the 2024-2025 school year.   We have a dynamic staff at HGSE that is committed to excellence in education and we consider it a privilege to work with our students each day.  Our Vision is “To Learn, Serve, and Give as One.” 

A little bit about myself…

My name is Keith McSwain and I am a lifelong resident of York School District One.  I graduated from Winthrop University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education.  I began my career as a teacher at W.C. Friday Middle School in Gaston County N.C.  After five years of teaching in Gaston County Schools, I returned to York School District One as a teacher and coach. For the past 18 years I have served as Principal from 2006-2010 at Harold C. Johnson Middle School, and from 2010 – 2024 at York Intermediate School.   This is my first year serving as Principal at Hickory Grove Sharon Elementary School!  Go Bobcats!

Mrs. Cassidy Valerino, Assistant Principal

I am excited to be joining the Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary School Family! I am a lifelong resident of York County. I have been in education for 24 years and have been so blessed to serve in many capacities during that time. I have taught second and third grades, served as a Reading Recovery Teacher and reading interventionist, and elementary and middle school assistant principal and principal. I am a very passionate educator who believes in the power of positivity, working hard, and celebrating our successes along the way. My husband, Thomas, and I have a 16-year-old daughter named Giada who is a competitive dancer. In my free time you can find me running, doing dance mom things, and watching college football. I know it is going to be a great year!